FG Rejects Claims of Ransom in Niger School Abduction

FG Rejects Claims of Ransom in Niger School Abduction

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Federal Government on Tuesday rejected reports suggesting that ransom was paid or militant commanders released to secure the release of students abducted from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State.

In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the claims circulating in some local and international media as “completely false and baseless.”

The minister emphasized that such narratives undermine the professionalism and sacrifices of Nigeria’s security agencies in the fight against insecurity. “For the avoidance of doubt, no ransom was paid, and no militant commanders were freed,” Idris stated.

The government, while reaffirming its respect for press freedom, dismissed reports based on unnamed “intelligence sources” and individuals described as “familiar with the talks,” calling them unverified and misleading.

Idris pointed out that key security institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and the leadership of the National Assembly, had all publicly refuted the ransom allegations.

The statement also criticized internal inconsistencies within the reports, including claims that ransom was allegedly delivered by helicopter and confirmed across borders, which the DSS had previously described as “fake and laughable.”

The Federal Government highlighted that the successful rescue of the schoolchildren without casualties was achieved through precise intelligence gathering and coordinated operations, reflecting the professional capabilities of the security forces.

The statement concluded with a caution to media organisations to verify information before publication, warning that speculative stories could embolden criminal networks and weaken troop morale.